[IBTIMES.CO.UK] A video released by the disputed leader of Nigeria-based terror groupBoko Haram... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality...
is proof that there are tensions between the two factions within the Islamist outfit, a security analyst toldIBTimes UK.
Abubakar Shekau recently released a 24-minute clip vowing he would continue to fight. The video camedays afterBoko Haram's ally, the Isis terror group, replaced Shekau with Abu Musab al-Barnawi, former Boko Haram spokesperson.
Shekau, however, denied he had been replaced and claimed Barnawi was staging a coup against him. He also accused Barnawi of being an infidel who condoned living in a non-Islamic society without waging jihad.
Following the new appointment, analysts warned the group had split into two factions, one loyal to Shekau and the other to Barnawi.
"The video is another reason to expect some tension between Shakau's faction and the faction of Al Barnawi," David Otto, CEO of global security provider TGS Intelligence Consultants, told IBTimes UK.
"Shakau is probably doing this video appearance to reassure his followers that he is still alive and in control. Without this type of assurance, most of his bully boyz will cross over to Barnawi's faction. This could be a strong message of defiance to [Isis] - Shakau will not give up his leadership without a fight."
Otto added that Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim) could be interested in allying with Shekau, given his refusal to accept Barnawi as his replacement.
| AQIM was the original alliance. Bamawi's group split off when Shekau chose ISIS instead, as I recall. So we now have the amusing sight of both trading allegiances. |